How to invite the right architects to a professional event

Place the topic in the design process

RIBA describes its Plan of Work as eight stages covering briefing, design, construction and operation. It is a useful UK reference when discussing where an event's subject fits. Some programmes concern forming a brief or developing a concept; others deal with technical information, construction support or learning from a building in use.

For international audiences, explain the decision in ordinary language as well. Practices and projects may use different stage terminology. An invitation can say what aspect of material selection the session will examine and what level of knowledge it assumes. State that detail in the invitation so the recipient can judge its relevance before registering.

Select practices and the people within them

Agree the practice specialisms with the organiser. Conservation, healthcare design and housing technical work are examples of interests that could produce quite different lists. Read current practice information and published project descriptions, and check whether an older project still reflects the team's work. Then look for the person whose responsibility matches the discussion.

A partner or design director may be appropriate, but the relevant knowledge could sit with a project architect, specification lead or sustainability specialist. Record the professional reason for the invitation. Contributing to a specification does not establish purchasing control, and seniority does not establish expertise in every subject. Review uncertain profiles before describing them as qualified delegates.

Learning content and CPD claims

Explain what participants will learn or contribute. A lecture asks something different of its audience from a design critique or technical workshop. Identify confirmed speakers and the intended level of discussion. Say whether attendees should prepare material, bring questions or share examples. If a manufacturer or service provider supports the programme, describe its role and distinguish a product presentation from a broader technical session.

RIBA's CPD guidance explains its Chartered Members' continuing professional development obligations and points to RIBA learning and RIBA-assessed content through its provider network. Those descriptions apply to RIBA's arrangements. An unrelated event needs its own evidence for any claim that it is assessed, accredited or accepted for a particular professional requirement.

Before using CPD language, obtain the wording the organiser can substantiate for that session and audience. Confirm learning objectives, duration and the available attendance record. Hours, certificates and recognition must reflect the actual offer. The same care applies to claims that a session is independent or compares a range of options: confirm the scope and supporting evidence before adding them to an invitation.

Visits and discussions need practical instructions

Provide timings, venue or online joining details, accessibility contact information and attendance conditions before asking someone to commit. A project visit also needs the access arrangements approved by the organiser. Where participants may discuss project examples, explain what they can share and whether photography or recording is planned.

Keep replies with the registration record so that follow-up answers the outstanding question. A request about technical relevance needs programme detail. A colleague substitution needs an eligibility decision. Remove registered participants from acquisition reminders, and give an approved colleague referral a complete invitation rather than assuming they have read the original exchange.

What the attendance report should show

Review registrations against the agreed practice specialisms and role responsibilities, then reconcile attendance using the organiser's chosen record. Programme feedback can tell the organiser something different from the check-in count, so report it separately. Learning interest, attendance and a later specification decision each require their own evidence. Use those findings to revise the audience brief for the next event.

Editorial and source note

By Summitrix editorial team. Draft for founder review. Sources accessed 26 September 2026. Campaign recommendations are Summitrix editorial advice. RIBA sources support the named framework and CPD descriptions. No Summitrix accreditation or campaign results are claimed.